Do you want to know How to Freeze Blueberries? It's easier than you might think, and once you know how, you'll be hooked. I freeze several gallons of blueberries every single year, and my method is simple and works perfectly every time.
Frozen blueberries
Our freezers (yes, we have more than one!) are filled with bags of frozen fruit. I love preserving what we grow so we can use it throughout the year. We freeze blueberries, raspberries, peaches, rhubarb, blackberries, and wild huckleberries.
Freezing blueberries is a simple way to make the season last. With just a few simple steps, I can tuck away bags of berries to enjoy long after summer is over.
When our boys were younger, they would eat frozen blueberries by the bowlful. I had to limit them to just one bowl per day so the berries would last. Frozen blueberries make a great treat, but they are also great to use in baking.
They are perfect in blueberry buttermilk pancakes, blueberry banana muffins, blueberry crisp, and blueberry coffee cake.
Picking blueberries
Select berries that are ripe and full of flavor. If it's a good-eating berry, it will be perfect for freezing. Avoid green or underripe berries, as well as overripe, mushy berries.
What you need to freeze blueberries
Freezing blueberries doesn't take much, but you do need a few things to make the process work.
- Blueberries - Pick ripe berries.
- Baking Sheet - You'll need a few rimmed baking sheets for the initial freeze.
- Parchment Paper or Silicone Mat - (Optional) Helps prevent the berries from sticking to the baking sheet. You can also use it to help place the berries in a freezer-safe bag. I have used them with or without, and both methods work fine.
- Freezer Bags or Containers - Once the blueberries are frozen, they are moved to a freezer bag or container for long-term storage. Use freezer-safe ziptop bags, vacuum-seal bags, or freezer-safe storage containers.
Steps to freeze blueberries
- Rinse and drain the berries. Remove any stems or leaves.
- Dry blueberries. I use one towel on top of a baking sheet, then I add the blueberries. Use a second towel to gently rub over the top of the blueberries.
- Transfer blueberries to another baking sheet. You can line the baking sheet with parchment paper, a silicone mat, or leave it plain.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer until frozen.
- Remove from the freezer and remove berries from the baking sheet.
- Place in a freezer-safe bag or container.
- Return to freezer.
Tips for freezing blueberries
- Make certain blueberries are dry before freezing.
- Store berries in a deep freezer or one without an auto defrost.
- Label and date the storage bags. It's easy to lose track once your freezer is full.
- If the bag of blueberries begins to stick together, tap the bag on a firm surface. This will break the berries apart.
- Don't thaw before using blueberries in baked goods.
Frequently asked questions
The blueberries are best used within one year. However, the berries won't go bad after a year; they just may lose some of their quality.
Nope. Freezing blueberries preserves their taste and the nutrients.
Ways to use frozen blueberries
- Eat a bowlful of the berries while they are still frozen.
- Use in a smoothie.
- Sprinkle over ice cream.
- Use in your favorite baked goods - blueberry muffins, blueberry lemon bread, or blueberry popsicles.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my preserving food recipes.
How to Freeze Blueberries
Equipment
- Cookie Sheet (rimmed)
Ingredients
- blueberries
Instructions
- Rinse and drain the berries. Remove any stems or leaves.
- Dry blueberries. I use one towel on top of a cookie sheet, then I add the blueberries. Use a second towel to gently rub over the top of the blueberries.
- Transfer blueberries to another cookie sheet. You can line the cookie sheet with parchment paper, a silicone mat, or leave it plain.
- Place the cookie sheet in the freezer until frozen. Remove from the freezer and remove berries from the baking sheet. Place in a freezer-safe bag or container. Return to freezer.
Notes
- Make certain blueberries are dry before freezing.
- Store berries in a deep freezer or one without an auto defrost.
- Label and date the storage bags. It's easy to lose track once your freezer is full.
- If the bag of blueberries begins to stick together, tap the bag on a firm surface. This will break the berries apart.
- Don't thaw before using blueberries in baked goods.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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